As the Christmas season approaches, our thoughts turn to gifts—those we give and those we receive. While toys and gadgets can bring fun, there’s a far more lasting gift: not something you’ll find wrapped under the tree, but it’s a treasure we can pass on to our children and even build within ourselves.
Stories that inspire courage, grit, hope, triumph, and virtue can shape young minds and help each of us navigate life’s challenges. These are gifts that endure, laying a foundation for strength and perseverance. They can become a foundation for overcoming life’s challenges and create a legacy far richer than any material present.
By reading and discussing tales of those who have prevailed against great odds, we give our children more than just entertainment—we offer them tools for critical thinking and the ability to face adversity. Engaging with stories encourages thoughtful reflection, helping children analyze choices, understand consequences, and build moral reasoning. Perhaps they may be a good reminder for the adults, too.
Let’s explore how stories of heroism and resilience can shape our hearts and minds this Christmas season.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Kahlil Gibran
In challenging times, one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our children is a mindset that fosters courage, grit, and virtue. These qualities act as a shield against despair and defeat, helping us stay on our feet when life gets tough. But where do we find these tools? They aren’t sold in stores or tucked into survival kits. Instead, they’re built within us, forged through stories, lessons, and inspiration from those who have walked hard paths before us.
As Shakespeare’s Henry V wisely proclaims on the brink of battle, “All things are ready if our minds be so.” His words remind us that mental fortitude is often the decisive factor in victory. Like a good commander bolstering his troops’ morale, we must fortify the mind with self-indoctrination—mental and spiritual inoculations, if you will, against discouragement. Fortunately, these “pharmaceuticals” are readily available and require no prescription.
Start with stories. Reading and 
discussing tales of men, women, and children who overcame great challenges can inspire courage in our hearts. Below, I’ve listed a variety of wonderful stories and chapter books featuring historical figures who faced adversity and emerged victorious. Even fictional works—such as Aesop’s Fables, fairy tales, and other imaginative stories—can spark meaningful and engaging discussions, imaginative role-playing, and plenty of fun together.
discussing tales of men, women, and children who overcame great challenges can inspire courage in our hearts. Below, I’ve listed a variety of wonderful stories and chapter books featuring historical figures who faced adversity and emerged victorious. Even fictional works—such as Aesop’s Fables, fairy tales, and other imaginative stories—can spark meaningful and engaging discussions, imaginative role-playing, and plenty of fun together. Each story, each lesson, and each conversation is like adding a stone to a fortress, making it stronger and more resilient. Through the examples of others, we learn to embrace grit and virtue, ensuring that when our own moment of challenge arises, we’ll be ready to face it with courage.
This Christmas, give the gift of critical thinking and courage—through stories that inspire, challenge, and teach the timeless virtues that make us strong.
(Note: some of these books are old and out of print. I have found them at yard sales, thrift stores, ebay, Amazon, and abebooks.com)
List A
Aesop’s Fables
“The Princess and the Pea” Andersen, Hans Christian
“Emperor’s New Clothes” Andersen, Hans Christian
"The Ugly Duckling" Andersen, Hans Christian
Pinocchio Collodi (NOT Disney)
Abraham Lincoln D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
Benjamin Franklin D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
Columbus D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
George Washington D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
Pocahontas D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
The Little Red Hen
Childhood’s Happy Hours Handford, Thomas W.
*Cinnabar, the One O’Clock Fox Henry, Marguerite
Misty of Chincoteague Henry, Marguerite
James Herriot’s Treasure for Children Herriot, James
*Just So Stories Kipling, Rudyard
The Chronicles of Narnia Series Lewis, C. S.
Heroes for Young Readers Meloche, Rene
Winnie-the-Pooh Milne, A.A.
*Life of George Washington Pollard, Josephine (Her books are written so that lengthy words are separated by syllable, making it much easier for the young reader.)
The “Little House” series Wilder, Laura Ingalls
List B
Little Men Alcott, Louisa May
Little Women Alcott, Louisa May
*Brave and Bold: Or, the Fortunes of a Factory Boy Alger, Horatio
*Do and Dare - a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune Alger, Horatio
*Jack's Ward: Or, THE BOY GUARDIAN Alger, Horatio
Fifty Famous Stories Baldwin, James
*Four Naval Heroes Beebe, Mabel H.
Caddie Woodlawn Brink, Carol Ryrie
The Secret Garden Burnett, Frances Hodgson
The Courage of Sarah Noble Dalgliesh, Alice
Landing of the Pilgrims Daugherty, James
The Magna Charta Daugherty, James
*Benjamin Franklin D’Aulaire, Edgar Parin & Ingri
*Robinson Crusoe, abridged Defoe
Hans Brinker Dodge, Mary
The Black Stallion Farley, Walter
*Johnny Tremain Forbes, Esther
Blue Willow Gates, Doris
*My Side of the Mountain George, Jean
Julie of the Wolves George, Jean
Old Yeller Gipson, Fred
The Wind in the Willows Grahame, Kenneth
”Bremen Town Musicians” Grimm's Fairy Tales
“Red Riding Hood” Grimm's Fairy Tales
“The Frog Prince” Grimm's Fairy Tales
*Benjamin West and His Cat, Grimalkin Henry, Marguerite
Justin Morgan Had a Horse Henry, Marguerite
*Captains Courageous Kipling, Rudyard
*George Washington Koral, Bella
Lassie Come Home Knight, Eric
*Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the American West Kroll, Steven
Tales from Shakespeare Lamb, Charles and Mary
Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde Lamb, Harold
*Carry On, Mr. Bowditch Latham, Jean
A Wrinkle in Time L'Engle, Madeleine
*The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower Lynch, P.J.
Sarah, Plain and Tall MacLachlan, Patricia Sarah
*Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers Moody, Ralph
Island of the Blue Dolphins O'Dell, Scott
*Call It Courage Perry, Armstrong
*Our Hero General Grant Pollard, Josephine
The History of the United States Pollard, Josephine
Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of the New World Pollard, Josephine
Stories of the Pilgrims Pumphrey, Margaret
*Guns for General Washington Reit, Seymour
Louisiana Purchase Room, Peter and Connie
Bambi (NOT Disney) Salten, Felix
Wizard of the North Schultz, Pearl
*Sign of the Beaver Speare, Elizabeth George
The Witch of Blackbird Pond Speare, Elizabeth George
Heidi Spyri, Johanna
*Leonardo da Vinci Stanley, Diane
*Kidnapped Stevenson, Robert Loui
*Treasure Island Stevenson, Robert Louis
*The Hobbit Tolkien, J.R.R.
*Around the World in Eighty Days Verne, Jules
*Journey to the Center of the Earth Verne, Jules
Charlotte’s Web White, E.B.
Abigail Adams Witter and Camp
Swiss Family Robinson Wyss, Johann
* Especially interesting to boys
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